Gibson, Jurineack Going Strong At Community College In Kansas

October 6, 1996|By Scott Kauffman of The Sentinel Staff

When Marquis Gibson is finished playing football, he would like to be a mortician.

How appropriate.

After four games at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, the former Apopka High School defensive lineman has shown a knack for ''burying'' opposing quarterbacks and running backs - recording a team-high 10 sacks and six tackles for losses.

Throw in the dominating nature of fellow defensive end Terrell Jurineack, a first-year player from Cypress Creek, and it's understandable why Coffeyville is sitting atop the eight-school Kansas Jayhawk CC Conference standings at 4-0.

Nationally, the school is also making a name for itself, moving into the No. 3 spot in this week's National Junior College Athletic Association Top 15 Poll.

It all begins with defense, and the sophomore leadership of Gibson.

''He's been a really good leader on our football team,'' said Coffeyville coach Skip Foster, whose school is a three-time national JUCO champion. ''And he's probably one of the premier players in the conference at defensive end. He's doing a super job.''

Gibson was signed to play at the University of Oklahoma, but he didn't meet NCAA academic standards to get into the Big 12 school. Nevertheless, Gibson's stock hasn't dropped a bit since going to Coffeyville.

After earning all-conference honors from the coaches last season - one of a few defensive lineman to earn that kind of respect, Foster says - Gibson is well on his way to another season of all-conference accolades.

Two weeks ago, when the team beat Butler County, 35-14, he was named Player of the Week after recording three sacks, seven quarterback hurries and six tackles, including two for losses.

Though Gibson does not have the typical build of a defensive lineman - he's only 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds - coach Foster says he makes up for it in tenacity, speed and athleticism.

''He's a pass-rushing specialist who really relies on speed,'' Foster said. ''. . . He's in our scheme what Derrick Thomas is to the (NFL) Chiefs. He plays off the edge and is very tenacious. Marquis has that big-time motor on him. He's a great athlete and has a chance to go on to the Division I level.''

Jurineack, who's on the other end of the size spectrum at 6-5 and 260 pounds, also has a Division I future. Through four games, he was third on the team in tackles (23), third in sacks (3) and second in tackles for losses (7).

''He's also done a super job,'' Foster said. ''He has super speed and quickness off the line. They've kind of chummed up and done a great job. They really complement each other because they're such good pass rushers.''

Good enough that the duo has boosted a defense to 24 sacks in four games, a pace that should break the 45 recorded in 1990, when the Red Ravens last won a national title.

Gibson and Jurineack only played against each other once in high school, but Gibson certainly knew of Jurineack's ability.

''He's one of the powerhouses,'' Gibson said. ''He's got the size over me. He's learning how to play at this level and now that he's starting, he's coming along.''

Like last week.

With his mother, Amelia, and Cypress Creek football-playing brother, Tavares, in attendance, Jurineack turned in a team-high 15 tackles and a sack en route to defensive player of the week honors after Coffeyville defeated arch-rival Independence.

''He's got unlimited potential,'' Foster said. ''In high school he was one of the top players in the country. In the off-season he's got to get a lot stronger, faster and really work on his technique in pass rushing.''

It's potential such as this that prompted Illinois to sign Jurineack to a letter-of-intent last season. Like Gibson, however, Jurineack had to opt for the junior-college route because of academics.

That has only strengthened his resolve to get to the next level.

''I just want to get to Division I and make a name for myself,'' said Jurineack, a two-time all-county defensive lineman. ''I want to get my name exposed to Division I.''

Jurineack said the adjustment to junior-college football hasn't been that dramatic for him, but he did say, ''It's much harder. . . . there's a lot of competition, a lot of people who didn't make it.''

According to Gibson, the two linemen are honing their skills against one of the best offensive lines in the JC ranks. One of the linemen, Greg Robinson (6-3, 300 pounds), is an Oklahoma signee, while Brian Handley, an All-America basketball player from Jeffersonville, Ind., has become a hulking 6-2, 330-pound stud after transferring from the Xavier basketball program.

''Going against them every day, just makes me better,'' Gibson said. ''They've got great footwork.''

One thing both Orlandoans agree on is Coffeyville isn't exactly the hub of the Midwest. Located in southeastern Kansas - 70 miles north of Tulsa - Coffeyville is a good place to play football and study, and that's about all.

Said Jurineack, who's studying criminal justice: ''It's a small environment. . . . I just study and get a lot done. Trying to do good in school.''

''For me, it's boring,'' said Gibson, who is scheduled to graduate in December. ''But it's helped me out a lot schoolwise. It got me more matured, and more responsible with what I have to do. There ain't nothing else to do.''